by L. P. Dover
“New York is obviously a choice,” I said, taking another bite of the mousse, “but I’m considering somewhere else. It’s a place I absolutely love.”
“Virginia,” Reed replied.
I shook my head. “Nope. This place is a lot further west. I have family and friends there.”
His mouth gaped and understanding flashed across his face. “Are you fucking serious? Wyoming?”
Excitement bubbled in my chest. “I’ve been thinking long and hard about it. I’d have you and Layla out there with me. There’s no one other than Dominic keeping me here.”
“You would actually leave him?” Reed asked.
“I was hoping Dominic would come with me,” I said. “He told Bryce that he planned on leaving New York one day.”
He’d never actually said it to me, but I knew he wouldn’t lie to Bryce. If Dominic and I were to have a future together, I could see it in Wyoming. His mother and sister were there. He’d have everything: his family, money, and … me. Plus, we’d be safe. He wouldn’t have to worry about the Cartwrights or any of the other families coming after us.
Reed looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. “Faith, come on. Dominic might not be like his father or the Corsinos before him, but do you honestly think he’ll leave this life behind? It’s in his blood, just like being an assassin for the FBI is in mine.” All of his brothers, including his father worked for the FBI. His father was retired, but his three brothers were still active.
“He said he would,” I countered. I had to believe our relationship was strong enough to make him realize that there was more to life. Maybe not now, but I planned on making him see it.
Reed frowned. “I care about you, Faith, and I don’t want to see you hurt, but I’m afraid that’s where you’re headed. I could be wrong, but I don’t see Dominic giving up his power. It’s like a drug to him. You may not see it, but I do.”
I had to believe he was wrong. I knew who Dominic really was. I’d seen the other side of him. Reed wanted to protect me, and I understood that. I just couldn’t see things that way. Reed finished his mousse and I slowly did mine. Doubts swirled around in my stomach and I didn’t like the way it felt at all.
Taking Reed’s empty glass, I carried it into the kitchen and rinsed both of ours out in the sink. The water splashed all over my tank top, drenching me. “Just my luck,” I grumbled, holding my tank top away from my stomach; it was cold.
“You okay?” Reed called out.
“Yeah, just got sprayed with water. I’m going to go change shirts.” Huffing, I marched down the hall to Dominic’s bedroom and shut the door. My phone started to vibrate and it danced across the dresser about to hit the floor. I rushed over to grab it before it could. I didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Good evening, Faith.” I’d heard that voice before, had hoped to never hear it again. It was dark and smooth, the voice of a truly dangerous man.
“Who is this?” I said.
He chuckled. “You know who I am. I have to say, I’m a little disappointed you’re not at the fights tonight. I was hoping to see you.”
“What do you want, Cadoc?”
“So abrupt,” he teased. “No how are you or how did I get your number?”
I huffed. “First of all, I don’t care how you are and secondly, I’m sure you can find my number on the internet. It’s not rocket science.”
Cadoc laughed. “Good point. Although I am sad you don’t care how I’ve been. I thought we were on good terms. I, for one, hope you’ve been well.”
“Sorry,” I said, “I must have lost my manners.”
“No worries, my dear. I have a proposition for you. Meet me in room 5723. We can discuss it there.”
Mouth gaping, I sat on the bed, wondering if I’d heard him right. How in the hell would he ever think I’d meet him alone? “Are you out of your fucking mind?” I snapped. “I’m not meeting you anywhere. I know what you’re all about. I’m insulted you think I’m that stupid.”
He chuckled again. “I knew I liked you. You’re smart and exceptionally beautiful. Not at all like the women Dominic’s used to. Your husband was a fool for doing what he did to you.”
My heart stopped. “How do you know about that?”
“I know many things, my dear. That’s why it’ll be in your best interest to meet me. With Dominic in the pit, it’s your only chance and you know it.”
There was no way in hell Reed would let me go. “What if I don’t want to meet you? I know what all your son did to Layla. If you think you’re going to pull any of that shit with me you’re sorely mistaken.”
The line went silent. His son was dead because of what he had planned for Layla. The Cartwrights were going to force her into a marriage with him. Luckily, he was shot dead before the plan could take place. Swallowing hard, I waited for Cadoc to speak. It felt good to express my anger, but I started to think it wasn’t a good idea to provoke him.
“Ms. Hilliard,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “What I ask of you is strictly business, but if you happen to want more I can certainly oblige.”
I could feel the mousse come back up my throat. “Yep, you just made me sick. Keep dreaming, Cadoc.”
He laughed and it pissed me off. I looked down at my drenched shirt and came up with an idea. Hurrying over to Dominic’s dresser, I found one of his guns I knew he had hidden there. It was one I knew how to use. I shoved it into the back of my waistband, hoping like hell Reed wouldn’t see it.
“All right,” I gave in. “I have a plan to get out of here. I’ll meet you in room 5723 in ten minutes.”
“See you then, my dear.”
His words slithered across my skin and made me tremble, but not in a good way. I grabbed the key to the princess suite and hurried out of the bedroom. The only way to unlock the stairwell doors was with it. I couldn’t take the elevator because Reed would hear the ding. Before turning the corner to the living room, I took a deep breath. Reed was very perceptive. I had no clue if I could pull it off.
“Reed,” I called out, making my way into the living room.
He smirked down at my shirt and tried not to laugh. “Yeah?”
I pointed to the door. “I need to run to my room really quick. Most of my clothes are over there.”
He stood. “I’ll go with you.”
I waved him off like it was no big deal. “No need. I’ll be right back. I’m just going next door.”
By the look on his face, I could tell he had doubts. Lips pursed, he sat back down. It was my chance. Hurrying out the door, I raced down the hallway to the stairwell, jumping down them two at a time. When I got down to the fifty-seventh floor, I swiped my key card and the door unlocked. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it beating in my ears. I didn’t have much time.
I went down the hallway as fast as I could to room 5723. My mind screamed for me to turn around, but I couldn’t do it. If Dominic ever found out he’d be furious. I pounded on the door and stepped back. Still in my drenched tank top, I could feel the sweat pouring down my back.
The door opened and Cadoc greeted me with a smile. His brows lifted in amusement when he took in my attire. “You look lovely tonight.”
“I’m here,” I growled. “What do you want?”
He stepped out of the way. “Come on in. We’re alone, I promise.”
I took a step inside, but waved for him to move first. “After you.” I didn’t trust him to be at my back.
Cadoc’s grin broadened and he nodded. “If that makes you happy.” He walked through the small foyer that led into a sitting area that was right off the bedroom. From what I could see, there was no one there. Not unless they were in the bedroom. Cadoc sat down on the sofa while I stood on the opposite side of the room, closest to the door.
He waved to the seat across from him. “Please, have a seat.”
I shook my head. “I’m fine here. I also don’t have much time.”
“Ah, I see,” he sai
d, “I was wondering how you were going to get away. Figured Dominic had you under lock and key.”
I glared at him impatiently. “I come and go as I please, Mr. Cartwright.”
He held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I get the point. Let’s get down to business, shall we?” He spread his arms across the back of the couch, looking all calm and collected. I, on the other hand, was the total opposite. Now that I was alone with him, I was terrified with what he wanted. Cadoc cleared his throat. “Here’s my business proposal, Ms. Hilliard. You’ve already met my nephew, William. It turns out he just finished law school and Duke and he’s trying to open up shop here in New York.”
“O-kay,” I said, not at all interested. “And that’s supposed to interest me how?”
Cadoc smiled. “I hear you built your husband’s practice from the ground up. He wouldn’t be nearly as successful as he’s been without you.”
The breath whooshed out of my lungs. “Who told you that?”
He shrugged, and I could see the mischievous glint in those dark brown eyes of his. “I have ways, my dear. That’s why I’m interested in buying out your ex-husband’s part of the practice and putting my nephew there.”
I could feel the blood draining out of my face. I didn’t build that place up just so the Cartwrights could take it over. “He’ll never sell to you,” I claimed, hoping like hell that was the truth. With the restraining order against him, I had no plans to ever see him again, but I had no choice. I couldn’t let him sell to the Cartwrights.
Cadoc stood. “And why not? I plan on offering him a lot of money. After everything you got from the settlement, the man’s left with nothing. His career is done.”
“And he deserved it,” I spat, clenching my hands into tight fists. “I don’t know what the fuck you know, but he screwed me over.”
Cadoc’s smile faded and his gaze shifted to my arms. “He does. I also know he gave you those bruises.” He stepped forward and met my eyes. “I want your help, Faith. I think we’d work good together. All it takes is a simple yes and I’ll get your ex to sell. Plus,” he said, “my nephew is attracted to you. He’d treat you right.”
Bile rose up the back of my throat. Working with the Cartwrights would be the ultimate betrayal to Dominic and his family. There was no doubt about it. The answer was …
“No,” I answered with force.
Cadoc appeared shocked, as if he thought I’d actually consider it. “Are you sure?” he asked.
I huffed. “Positive. I don’t want my name associated with yours, and I’m certainly not interested in being with your nephew.”
He frowned, but it was only for show. “Shame. William won’t be happy about this. Just know that whatever happens next is on you. You could’ve prevented everything.”
My stomach dropped. “What the hell are you talking about?”
His cold eyes bored right into mine. “Exactly what I said, Ms. Hilliard. You made a mistake telling me no.”
I stood up straighter. “You don’t scare me, Cadoc.”
The evil leer on his face made chills run down my spine. “Oh, but I should, my dear. Just wait.”
On those last words, I turned on my heel and bolted out of there as fast as I could. What the hell had I just done? I raced up the stairwell to my floor and stopped at the door to the princess suite to catch my breath. There were so many emotions swirling inside of me I didn’t know what to feel. I was scared, angry, and most of all … terrified. I knew what the Cartwrights were capable of and I knew they didn’t bluff.
“Faith?” Reed called out. My hands trembled and it felt like at any moment I could throw up. I didn’t want to look at him because if I did, I was sure to break down. “Faith, you okay?”
I nodded quickly. “I’m fine. Sorry it took so long. I had to run to the bathroom.”
“No worries. Looks like you forgot to put on a dry shirt.”
With a heavy sigh, I peered down at my tank top. “Guess I’m just not with it tonight. I think I need to lie down for a bit.” He was right behind me, but I made sure not to make eye contact. There were a million things raging through my mind, wondering what Cadoc was going to do. Whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be good.
Chapter Twenty
Dominic
Two fights down, one more to go. The pit was more packed this weekend, and with that more money.
“Cadoc wasn’t here for his fight. Where do you think he is?” Marco asked.
I’d wondered the same damn thing. With Faith being with Reed and secured on the top floor, there was no way Cadoc could get to her. That meant he was somewhere else. “I don’t know,” I huffed. That fucker always made a point to talk to me. I thought maybe I just hadn’t seen him, but when his fighter won, one of his nephews accepted the money on his behalf.
It was time for my house to fight. Taylor took his place in the ring along with the Rossi fighter. From the look of determination on the Rossi fighter’s face, it wasn’t going to be an easy win for Taylor. Micah rung the bell and the fight was on.
Marco nudged me with his elbow. “There’s the cocksucker now.” He pointed toward the door and in walked Cadoc with his nephew, William. Cadoc searched around the room and I had a feeling he was looking for me. William found me first and got Cadoc’s attention.
“Here we go,” I growled. “Let’s see what the bastard wants.” I had yet to find out what Cadoc wanted to discuss in our meeting, but I knew it wouldn’t be anything in my favor.
Cadoc made his way through the crowd toward mine and Marco’s private table. He stepped up to us, giving me that permanent eat shit grin he always had on his face. “You missed your fight,” I called out.
Cadoc shrugged. “Had some business I needed to take care of.”
William smiled. “It’s good to see you again, Corsino. What’s it been, two years?”
William was a cunt just like the rest of the Cartwrights. “Something like that,” I replied, not giving him another second of my time. I focused back on Cadoc. “I hear you want a meeting with me.”
Cadoc sat down and William followed suit. “I do,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “And not just you, but the other families, as well.”
That caught me off guard. “What are you up to?”
Cadoc and William smirked at each other, and then at me. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise,” Cadoc replied. “I’ll see you Wednesday at noon at The River Bistro. You can bring Faith if you’d like. I hear she loves a good restaurant.”
Anger boiled in my veins. I fisted my hand and pounded it down on the table. “I’m warning you, Cartwright. Leave her out of this.”
William leaned toward me, challenging me. “Or what? She might decide she wants something better. I, for one, would love to get a taste of her. She won’t be able to resist.”
It took all I had not to slam his head against the table. “Try it and you’ll find yourself with a bullet in your head.”
Cadoc placed his hand on William’s shoulder and they both stood. “That’s enough you two. Let’s go.”
They walked over to the Kazakov table and my body shook with rage. I was wrong. It wasn’t Cadoc who wanted Faith; it was William. I’d kill him in a heartbeat if he touched her.
“Calm down, son,” Marco warned. “He’s not getting anywhere near Faith.”
“I know,” I growled, watching Cadoc and William take a seat at the Kazakov table. The other families hated the Cartwrights just as much as we did, especially judging by the annoyed look on Viktor Kazakov’s face when Cadoc sat down at this table. “I don’t like them thinking about her.”
Marco squeezed my shoulder. “Keep your head on straight, Dominic. You can’t let anger cloud your judgment.” He leaned in close. “You have two FBI assassins at your disposal right now. Surely, Cadoc Cartwright is one of their targets.”
Shaking my head, I watched Cadoc make his rounds to the other families. “Unfortunately, no. Cadoc’s smart. My father was the only one the FBI wanted, but he made
sure to end it before they could.” Cadoc manipulated people into giving him what he wanted. My father loved to kill people to show his power. As much as I wanted to resort to that, I couldn’t. Faith would never forgive me.
Marco huffed and sat back in his chair. “Guess we’ll find out what he wants on Wednesday.” Yes, we would. Until then, I planned on keeping Faith away from the city. The further away she was from Cartwrights the better.
The first three rounds of the fight were brutal but I could barely focus on it. My interest was on Cadoc and how he strolled around the pit talking to each of the families like he owned the place. He was too confident and I didn’t like it.
The screaming of the crowd brought my attention back to the fight. Taylor had his arms in the air with the Rossi fighter knocked out on the mat. Marco patted my shoulder and laughed. “Another win. We need to celebrate. Maybe it’ll get your mind off that cunt Cartwright.”
I shook my head and stood. “You go. Take our cut and disburse it between the guys. There’s somewhere else I need to be.” People congratulated me as I walked past, but all I could think about was the Cartwrights getting their hands on Faith. The things I thought were important suddenly wasn’t. The game had changed and I was ready for it to end.
Chapter Twenty-One
Faith
When I got back to Dominic’s suite, I went straight to his room and shut the door. I couldn’t even pretend to be okay around Reed. Instead, I felt like an ass leaving him alone while I tried figuring out what the hell I was going to do about Cadoc. Deep down, I knew there was nothing I could do, but there was someone who’d had experience with the Cartwrights. Dominic was still at the fights so there was still time.
I pulled out my phone and called Layla’s number. The sound of her laugh echoed across the line and it made me miss having her around. The tears I’d been holding back fell down my cheeks.
“Hey, girl, what’s up?” she greeted happily.
The bedroom door was shut, but I moved into the bathroom to get more distance from Reed so he couldn’t hear. “I did something totally stupid tonight, Layla. I need to know what I’m in for.” My throat was so thick I could barely talk.
